Depending on where you live, spring may be in full swing or just beginning to peak its head out. Here in Wisconsin, the grass is greening, the leaves are beginning to come out and the hostas are poking their heads out of the ground. The yellow and white daffodils are finishing their blooms and the tulips that have been waiting to bloom for a week in my back yard are finally brave enough to open their petals. These welcome colors to the brown drab landscape shout spring! Have you been enjoying your spring? How can spring be good for your soul?
Spring gets you outside
Research has shown, not only is getting outside good for you spiritually, it is good for you physically. According to WebMD ‘forest bathing’, getting outside for even 20 minutes a day has been shown to improve well-being, reduce cortisol levels, lower inflammation, fight depression and even boost your attention. I know when I get outside for even a short amount of time, I notice how much better I feel. Researchers have facts and figures to back that up.
Have you found that to be true in your experience?
Spring shouts beauty
The beauty of spring speaks to your soul. Have you found yourself drawn to the beauty around you? Like a feast for your eyes, beauty is everywhere. Beauty is a healing balm. What beauty are you noticing right now?
The whole earth sprouts newness and life in the springtime and green shoots break through the well-seeded garden soil. Isaiah 61:11
I have heard God whisper to me, “Beauty heals.” I so believe the sights, sounds, smells and colors of beauty gives my brain a rest at just the time I need it.
Spring brings hope
Spring is about change. All things new. God at the moment is painting the world around us in hope. He is giving His lavish attention to the flowers, grass and singing songbirds. I have to remember He’ll give that attention to me as well.
This was one of those weeks where I needed that reminder of hope. I hit the wall this week and needed just to sit. Have you had days like that? I gave myself permission just to sit. Nothing different particularly happened, it was as if all the days past came crashing down and my system said, enough.
However, by acknowledging that these days are hard, and spending time with God, He gave me these verses from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, The Message:
Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
What were the gifts of this anxiety and the flux of this current season? I have had time to reflect. I can bring my worries to God and have a conversation. I can ask others to pray for me. When I am weak, He is the one who gives me strength and directs my path.
By the next day, I got outside and He was directing my path to soak up the beauty of His glory all around me. I feel more hopeful again.
One next step
What about you? What can spring bring to you in this unprecedented time of flux?
Do you need to sit still? Do you need to call a friend? Do you need to have a conversation with God?
How can you get outside and let spring bring you good things for your soul? Choose just one next step
I would love to hear from you. May the beauty of the Lord be all around you as you walk in the sunshine of Spring!
Blessings,
Nancy
Nancy Booth wants to create safe spaces for you, helping you find ways to have two-way conversations with God. She loves encouraging you to look for ways He is at work. Nancy is a spiritual director and writer. She would love to accompany you on your journey of discovery to hear and see more of the God who delights in you. Peace, hope and freedom could be yours Contact her today..
Thanks for this meditation, Nancy. Even though it’s chilly and blustery, there’s joy and blessing in navigating the outdoors.
Isn’t that true, Cam. Hope you were able to enjoy the sunshine this weekend! Spring is such a blessing! Thanks for your encouragement!